Sox Suffer Sweep as Trade Deadline Looms

By KC Downey in Featured, Red Sox ⋅ July 31, 2008 at 7:40am ⋅ Post a comment

The Red Sox have had a really rough stretch since the All-Star Break. After losing 9-2 Wednesday, they are now 0-6 against the Angels and 1-2 against the Yankees since the break, and combined with their sweep of the Mariners, they are now just 4-8 since the All-Star Game. Despite the rough stretch, their losing hasn’t even come close to dominating the headlines. That distinction goes to soon-to-be former Sox OF, Manny Ramirez.

For the moment, Manny is still with the team, but reports out of Miami are that a three-team deal could be in the works. Manny would be headed to the Marlins (a trade he would approve), Jason Bay and John Grabow would be headed to the Red Sox, and prospects from both teams would go to the Pirates. Could Manny Ramirez really be heading out of town? If he does, it’s not because of fans…but because of Red Sox brass.

“I love Boston fans, but the Red Sox don’t deserve me. I’m not talking about money. Mental peace has no price, and I don’t have peace here.”

Sox Stud of the Series

I’ll hand this nod to Dustin Pedroia for helping the Red Sox avoid an embarassing no-hitter at the hands of John Lackey. If the Red Sox suffer a no-hitter in the middle of an ugly sweep….that would not go well in Boston. Thank you Dustin!

Diamond Dud(s) of the Series

It’s way too easy to give Manny Ramirez the Diamond Dud of the Series for his off-the-field distraction. So I won’t. Who earns it? Well…the Sox really had no chance of avoiding the sweep from the Angels after four errors in the third game on Wednesday! Shame on Jason Varitek, Josh Beckett, Jed Lowrie, Kevin Youkilis.

Series Notes

Coco Crisp hit his first HR of the season at Fenway Park.
Josh Beckett has lost three straight decisions for just the second time in his career.
Mark Teixeira went 0-4 in his debut with the Angels.